Deadpool 2

(Cert 15, 119 mins)

Directed by “one of the guys who killed the dog in John Wick”, Deadpool 2 is a gleefully irreverent sequel, which proves you can have too much of a good thing.

The weight of giddy expectation on David Leitch’s slam-bang sequel compels returning screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to chase bigger laughs and outlandish thrills with tongue-in-cheek contributions to the script from leading man Ryan Reynolds.

Consequently, these rumbustious two hours are crammed to bursting with pop-culture references, droll oneliners and machine-gun profanities that try a smidgen too hard to push an envelope that had already been licked to absurdity.

For every burst of gags that hit the target with laser-like precision, one punchline veers off course, and a protracted sequence involving the title character waiting for his body parts to regrow is a surreal narrative detour too far, even for a franchise that thrives on the ridiculous.

Reynolds’ endless supply of chisel-jawed charisma atones for some sins and Josh Brolin is a worthy addition as a timetravelling assassin.

Deadpool 2 puts its own spin on the tried-andtested Marvel Comics formula of spectacular action sequences, earthy humour and heartbreak.

A couple of uncredited cameos are delightful surprises, and Zazie Beetz has a blast exploiting her acrobatic heroine’s superpower: endless good fortune.

★★★★★★★★★★